Should I Accept the Insurance Company's First Settlement Offer?

By
Dean Law Firm
|January 09, 2019

If you were recently injured in an accident that was caused by someone
else’s negligence, you probably got started on the process of filing
a personal injury claim and are now dealing with the at-fault party’s
insurance company. While dealing with the insurance adjuster, you might
believe that he or she is trying to help you out, but the fact is that
the adjuster’s interest is ensuring the company he or she represents
pays little to no compensation. Therefore, chances are that, when an adjuster
quickly makes a settlement offer, it is to avoid having to pay you what
your injuries are truly worth.

If an insurance company made a settlement offer, you should never jump
to accept it. Instead, seek help from an experienced personal injury attorney
to ensure you make the right decision for your circumstances.

Actual Reimbursement Costs

Remember, insurance companies are looking out for themselves and are not
interested in doing what is best for you. Even if an initial offer looks
fair to you as you calculate your current medical costs, you have to look
at the bigger picture. Perhaps you will take longer than you expect to
recover or might require costly treatment or surgery to address complications.
Try to consider all of the future costs you are likely to face farther
down the line and ask yourself if the insurance company’s first
offer can even begin to cover that.

Do the Homework

Another reason why insurance companies are sometimes quick to offer injured
victims a settlement is to avoid being involved in any sort of legal action.
The problem is that there is no possible way for them to know the actual
costs for your medical bills, physical therapy, assistive devices, or
anything else that might be necessary for you to recover. In fact, your
own doctor might not even know exactly when or if you will be able to
fully recover this early on in your case. Instead of rushing to accept
the settlement offer, wait to determine a more accurate estimate of the
costs involved. An experienced attorney will also be able to give you
a reasonable estimate of what your claim is worth.

The First Offer Will Not be the Last

You might be afraid of turning down an initial settlement offer because
you think it is your one opportunity at guaranteed compensation. It is
important for you to understand that this offer will likely be the first
of many and that the initial offer is almost always unreasonably low.
This initial offer is sometimes made to prey on injured victims who cannot
afford to wait, luring them into accepting an offer that cannot begin
to fully cover the cost of their medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Even if you desperately need the money, it is best to negotiate a settlement.
Otherwise, the amount you receive will still leave you in a desperate
and vulnerable position when it runs out in the near future.

Let your attorney handle these negotiations on your behalf and, if necessary,
take the case to court to ensure you receive fair and just compensation.

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys in Odessa

If you sustained injuries in an accident that was caused by another party’s
negligent or careless actions, you have a right to pursue compensation
and hold the responsible party liable for your injuries. At Dean Law Firm
in Texas, our skilled team of personal injury attorneys is backed by a
proven track record of success and an award-winning reputation. Let us
be your voice and help you get the justice you deserve.

Get started on your
personal injury case today and
contact our law firm at (432) 214-8125 to request a free initial case evaluation
with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.